Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's increased rating claims for service-connected left ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis, right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis, and right knee patella tendonitis with history of Osgood-Schlatter disease are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate previous examinations. The issues of service connection for various conditions are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected schizoaffective disorder and bilateral knee conditions do not render him unemployable prior to February 12, 2010. From February 12, 2010 to January 13, 2016, the Veteran is rated at 100% for his service-connected schizoaffective disorder and 10% each for his bilateral knee conditions, but does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his educational background and work history.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 15, 2021. From that date onwards, his combined rating for all service-connected disabilities is 100 percent.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee DJD and patellar enthesopathy. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the cases of the Veteran's right shoulder, left knee, and left ankle conditions for further development. Specifically, a VA examiner is to review relevant articles and provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service-connected PTSD or Gulf War environmental hazards.

The Board has determined that further development is needed in the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to potential issues with the adequacy of previous examinations.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, and therefore grants service connection for left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee meniscus tear and osteoarthritis, finding that the current schedular ratings adequately compensate his disability. The case is now remanded to determine if an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and left hip disability are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. A new examination is needed to assess the current severity of his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements about her left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right upper extremity ulnar neuropathy, left knee strain status post anterior cruciate ligament tear surgical repair, and right shoulder impingement syndrome status post-surgical repair.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis due to inadequate examination findings and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted service connection, but hypertension and other spine, hip, and ankle disabilities are not. The claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, hip, and ankle disabilities, as well as the rating of left knee disability in excess of 10 percent, and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate analysis regarding whether presumption of aggravation applies and direct service connection for the left knee disorder. The Veteran's current left knee disability is being evaluated again with an updated VA examination.

The appeal seeking service connection for multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for increased ratings of right and left knee disabilities, characterized as retropatellar pain syndrome with limitation of flexion and extension.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination reports and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's knee condition and TDIU claim need further development.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no merits decision was made.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.